What literary device is primarily used in Claude McKay's poem to convey strong emotions about America?

In Claude McKay's poem, the use of metaphor is significant in expressing strong emotions about America. A metaphor draws a direct comparison between two unlike things, allowing the poet to convey complex feelings and ideas in a vivid and impactful manner. This device enables McKay to articulate his experiences and sentiments regarding America, often highlighting the juxtaposition of both admiration and disillusionment he feels towards the nation.

By employing metaphor, McKay can encapsulate deep emotions, such as love, hope, and despair, in a way that resonates with the reader. For instance, he might compare America to a beautiful garden that also contains thorns, illustrating the complexity of his feelings—acknowledging the beauty and potential of the country while also recognizing its harsh realities and injustices.

While other literary devices like irony, personification, and alliteration can indeed convey emotions, they serve different purposes. Irony often presents contrasts between expectations and reality, personification gives human traits to inanimate objects, and alliteration focuses on the repetition of consonant sounds for rhythm and emphasis. In the context of McKay’s poem, metaphor stands out as the most powerful tool for directly expressing intense emotional responses.